STRATEGIES FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In Guatemala, in 2024, we started a second phase in Alta Verapaz in response to some further needs from the farmers in the area. The project aims to help farmers access the specialty coffee market. Coffee with a quality rating over 80 is considered specialty coffee, and farmers in the project produce coffee that rates between 81 and 86.5. In order to help farmers access the specialty coffee market, we are helping them comply with the Starbucks Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) criteria. In addition, 241 families in the project established a producers' association, and we are helping the association's members to take on the marketing of their coffee. Farmers are doing a good job of adopting the Starbucks practices. Their adoption rate was above 50% for most groups of practices and in the high 80s for a few. Members of the Alta Verapaz producers' association sold a micro-lot of 10, 69-kilo bags of coffee to Zeke's Coffee, a D.C. roaster. Zeke's already expressed their interest in ordering another micro-lot for this harvest, plus an additional 40 bags to blend with other coffees.

In Uganda, in 2024, we continued our regional program in the Luweero District. Farmers in the general population are increasing their knowledge and adopting practices to help them graduate from poverty. The farmers in the early-adopter villages increased their productivity from 113 to 172 kilos per 1/4 acre of coffee, sold more coffee in dried cherries, and had significant price increases. As a result, they increased their income from $227 to $1,212. Also, the number of participating families increased from 1,705 to 1,861. 1,145 women started or expanded 28 different types of second businesses. All the women made business plans for their second businesses and evaluated their results. The average annual income for all the businesses was $92.